Introduction
Bowness is the northwest quadrant of Calgary, bordered by the Bow River, 16th Avenue and Stoney Trail. The neighbourhood Montgomery is to the east. Bowness became part of Calgary in 1963 after it had been its own town for many years. Many Calgarians would leave the city to spend time in Bowness in the summers. Now, Bowness is very active with significant socioeconomic diversity.
Lifestyle
Bowness is currently experiencing gentrification with new businesses and residential infills popping up all of the time. Thanks to these changes, Bowness is becoming a destination once again for Calgarians. People who live in Bowness are affectionately called Bownesians and are very community-oriented. There are several community-wide events each year such as the Tour de Bowness.
The Vibe
Bowness has a small town charm that brings a lot of people to the area, thanks to its origins as an actual small town. The area is populated with young families, senior citizens and everyone in between. It is an active community thanks to its close access to the Bow River, pedestrian and cycle pathways and many parks.
Meet the Neighbours
Bowness is a very diverse neighbourhood with many different kinds of residents including families, seniors and immigrants. According to the City of Calgary’s 2000 municipal census, the median household income was $40,486. In the 2012 municipal census, the Bowness neighbourhood was found to have a population of just over 11,000 residents.
In the Area
There are a number of schools in the Bowness area including Bowness High School, Thomas B. Riley Junior High, Belvedere Parkway Elementary, Bowcroft Elementary and a K-9 Catholic school, Our Lady of the Assumption. Bowness is approximately 6.8 km from Foothills Hospital and 7.1 km from the Alberta Children’s Hospital.
13.5 km
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Bowness is definitely a car-reliant neighbourhood. While there are efficient bus options, there are not any LRT stations nearby, making a car essential for getting around. Bowness is located right along Highway 1, making it easy to get out of town directly out of the neighbourhood. Banff and Canmore are about 40 minutes away.
The Good, the Bad & the Rest
This neighbourhood feels like a small town in a big city. Evidence of gentrification has emerged, however, it will be a long time before the gentrification reaches the level of the rest of Calgary thanks to the quintessential Bownesian vibe of the community. This tight-knit community can sometimes come off as rough around the edges to newcomers which can throw off first impressions.
Dollars & Sense
Bowness is currently going through a transition of gentrification, however on average it is a fairly affordable neighbourhood. The juxtaposition of extremely wealthy residents and low income residents allows for a diversification of the businesses and restaurants in the area. This is a place where you could easily pick up a coffee for under three dollars.
Gallery
Neighbourhood Hotspots
Angel’s Drive-In
Bownesians flock to Angel’s Drive-In for typical greasy spoon grub like cheeseburgers, French fries and milkshakes – but they also stop there for the fabulous nostalgia of one of Calgary’s only remaining drive-in burger joints.
more infoBow Cycle
Calgarians love to cycle and Bow Cycle is doing an incredible job getting bicycles into the hands and feet of those Calgarians. They have city cruisers, road bikes and bicycles for the whole family.
more infoBowness Park
This stunning and scenic park was built before World War I when Bowness was a vacation destination. Now that it is within the city limits, it is popular for picnics, paddle boating and ice skating.
more infoCadence Café
Self-described as a 21st Century diner, Cadence has all of the charm of a 1950s eaterie. Whether you are getting coffee and baked goods to go, or sticking around for a meal, Cadence is great.
more infoBowness Railway Community Garden
A good neighbourhood wouldn’t be worth its salt if it didn’t have a fully functioning community garden. This garden has 44 plots on land that was donated by Canadian Natural Resources Limited.
more infoSalt & Pepper Mexican
If you are ever looking for excellent Mexican food, look no further than Salt & Pepper in Bowness. This delicious restaurant has an extensive menu of authentic Mexican cuisine and great service.
more info